Hunter Valley farmer wins environmental prize
Hunter Valley dairy farmer Wendy Bowman, 83, who has battled for community rights against coal mining since the 1980s, has won the Goldman Environmental Prize. The prize is the world's pre-eminent environmental award for grassroots conservation, supporting individuals taking extraordinary actions to win victories against the odds.
Bowman’s victory against one of the world’s biggest mining companies, Yancoal, in the Land and Environment Court prevented it from expanding its Ashton South East open cut coalmine. She has refused to sell her land, despite offers of millions from Yancoal, and is determined to stay and protect the community’s health, land, and water from further destruction.
Byron Shire divests from Westpac over Adani
Byron Shire Council has raised the pressure on Westpac over its potential funding of the Adani mine by voting to divest the $1 million it holds with the bank “at the earliest opportunity”.
At its meeting on April 20, the council said it will also not invest any of its more than $70 million term deposits that mature this year with Westpac.
Byron councillor Michael Lyon said it is time to "get serious" on climate change. He said the motion was passed to put pressure on Westpac to make a statement about funding Adani. The other three Big Four banks have said they will not fund the mine.
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